ATK more popular than any other team in Kolkata: Goenka

Kolkata, Dec 19 (IANS) Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) co-owner Sanjiv Goenka on Monday said his Indian Super League (ISL) football franchise is more popular than any other team in the city.

ATK won the title for the second time in three years beating Kerala Blasters on penalties in Kochi on Sunday.

“Have you ever seen such frenzy? ATK is probably much more popular than any other team in Kolkata,” Goenka told reporters at a city shopping mall where the side brought the trophy.

“Every city has one team then why should Kolkata have two teams,” wondered Goenka who has always publicly opposed the proposed merger of the ISL and the I-League, where the city’s two traditional football giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal participate.

Asked whether he has any fear if the more traditional outfits East Bengal and Mohun Bagan were to come in ISL, Goenka showed a video of the fans celebrating in Kochi on Sunday night.

“I don’t have any fear. What will happen if two teams from Kolkata get to the final or one team makes it? Today, Kolkata has won. The feeling won’t be the same.”

Goenka also has stakes in Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket franchise Rising Pune Supergiants. Asked about his preference, he said: “ISL has given us more success. IPL is more popular.”